Comments on: Video Gaming – Media Scapegoat For All Problems

By: Godzprototype

Godzprototype — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:19:10 +0000

You know this article has some similarities to what I was trying to say in my article.
Blame can equal profit for some forms of media. I kept up with what was going on in england at the time of those riots through Battlefield 3. My english friend who is a killer in BF3 was upset by the samething you were in this article. In almost every case that people try to blame a medium for a persons decision to act recklessly, they have failed. Look at the Ozzy Osborn case that came up years ago. I think it is just people looking to point a finger so they can feel better having an answer to what they think is the actual problem. Ultimatley it is that person or persons choice to act that way. I doubt that anyone was thinking of BF3 or GTA when they burned those shops down.

By: cthulu93

cthulu93 — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:28:23 +0000

What I mean about stickier is that occasionally it’s the ppl who you thought you knew best or were close to you that make the personal attack.In such a case if you say nothing mutual friends will most likely think the accusation is true or at the very least become quite confused about what is going on.Unlike a group that wants to portray a certain image to the public an individual usually cares more about how it’s other friends will react to these personal attacks and seeks to convince mutual friends that the attacks are not true.I know how it is,when everyone is happy and getting along nobody thinks their nearest and dearest could do such a thing but it does happen,sadly.The right to confront 1’s accuser was added to the U.S. Bill Of Rights for a very good reason,occasionally it’s the only way to ascertain a false accusation from true wrongdoing.A group may experience a similiar situation when a former member leaves and makes accusations but there are other factors involved in group dynamics that probably outweigh any need to defend itself.Therefore like I said before I think your “High Road” approach is usually the best for groups that care about public perceptions.

By: cthulu93

cthulu93 — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:35:42 +0000

I wasn’t trying to persuade you to change,in fact when dealing with groups your method is probably best,if the group/s in question care anything about how they are percieved publically.I was just pointing out something that might not be considered when making this decision.I think when it comes to individuals however things get stickier.

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:01:09 +0000

That may be true to some extent but I still believe that it is best not to dignify blatant personal attacks in any form with an answer. In the long run it only adds to the problem, and the people who really count in your life and know you personally know the truth, and for me they are the only ones that matter. I believe that when you refuse to respond to someone it eventually makes them look foolish to continue and they stop. This tack has worked for me many times in real life when I worked in the bar scene, so I will continue to use it.

By: cthulu93

cthulu93 — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:17:57 +0000

Your last sentence could,and I believe should,apply to the often talked about trolls as well.The main problem I see about not adding fuel to a fire,and this applies more to individuals than groups but it could apply in certain situations,is this.By trying to avoid a bigger fire you might be leaving yourself undefended against the unfounded accusations of others which might in turn lead to others thinking there is some truth to those accusations.

By: Kid Fleetfoot

Kid Fleetfoot — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 02:12:08 +0000

Many give the 1968 Detroit Tigers winning the World Series credit for helping to heal the city, a sporting game.

I am wondering if video games which give people something to do can help people stay out of trouble.

It can be argued that video games instigate violence in some people but sporting events themselves arguably instigate violent behavior in spectators according to some, i.e. soccer matches.

People see what they want to see and formulate opinions on the cause of violence.

By: Terra_Cide

Terra_Cide — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:31:20 +0000

This is what we were trying to talk about Saturday night…

And while you know and I know the difference between “represent” and “speak on behalf of” it doesn’t mean the populace at-large does, especially in the current global climate. Assuming they do can lead to all sorts of unintended miscommunication.

This is what happened in this case, and in the rush to one-up competitors, the media took it as fact. If you read here: http://www.gamepolitics.com/2011/08/09/london-evening-standard-corrects-game-blame-headline-daily-mail-runs-it you’ll see one UK media outlet redacted the statement, realizing their error, whilst The Daily Mail (which -- from what I’ve heard -- is what would happen if Fox News and the Enquirer had a love child together) still took the the statement from the constable in question as the gospel; as if the whole police force also believes this.

If he had just kept quiet on the matter (as they are trained to do), this would not have even been an issue. That said, you just know some advocacy group would have made the same false accusation; the difference being they are not public servants.

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 23:44:16 +0000

I agree Aeternitas, I think that the more popular the magazine gets the more there will be people taking pot shots at us. I for one intend to join the “high road” club and stay there for good. It does no one any good to add fuel to the fires that will break out as time goes on, so I choose not to and go on with my life, because in the scheme of things, what someone else has to say about me or to me only means as much as I choose to let it.

By: Aeternitas33

Aeternitas33 — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:08:00 +0000

Keara, “represent” does not mean “speak on behalf of.” I don’t speak on behalf of HSM and I would never claim to. Norse does that. But our statements do reflect on HSM, and so to me that means there are certain standards we should adhere to. For example, doing adequate research on an issue before posting rather than jumping in and making uninformed comments. Debating issues and not personalities, i.e., no personal attacks. And also making constructive criticism rather than taking every opportunity to bash Sony. As for being attacked, and this is something I just told Norse, I think the point is fast approaching where people who have a grief with Sony are going to start scapegoating us the same way that I see HCVs being scapegoated in the forums. So here’s to more “altitude sickness.”

By: Terra_Cide

Terra_Cide — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:54:06 +0000

Spot the pull quote, or spot the typo. It never ceases to amaze me how the functioning illiterate seems to joyfully point out a missing letter or comma. I stopped reading an automotive blog I used to frequent because the readership seemed more hell-bent on pointing out typeset flaws than actually reading and comprehending the content.

By: keara22hi

keara22hi — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:42:19 +0000

oops -- sorry, meant to say “the majority of the US public doesn’t read anymore”

By: keara22hi

keara22hi — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:40:44 +0000

I think. to some extent, that malaise is a result of realizing that no matter how much work goes into an article, no matter how well researched, the majority of the US public reads anymore -- unless it is to dig out the spot where the ‘pull quote’ came from. History now is being told in sound bites and headlines. Critical analysis is lost on the short attention span folks who want simple black and white jingoism and who respond with knee-jerk predictability. Look at the responses most posts that are longer than one paragraph receive in the Home Forum! I rest my case.

By: keara22hi

keara22hi — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:34:53 +0000

Like it or not, we are seen as ‘representing’ any recognized group with whom we are affiliated. I got a dose of that when NorseGamer asked me to please ‘take the high road’ when attacked in the HomeForum. Anything one of us says publicly is interpreted to mean that all of HSM feels the same way. I know how frustrating it is; I have spent so much time on the ‘high road’ lately, I am getting altitude sickness. So I can understand that the policeman was tired, angry, and frustrated. But he was also mistaken in his assumption and did not stop to consider the repercussions.

And Gideon is right. Over the past 70 years that I can remember, some outside cause has always been blamed for society’s ills. In my day, it was movies -- and then television came along in the 1950’s with those “violent’ westerns and detective shows and it became the scapegoat along with ‘commie sympathizers’ and integrationists ‘stirring people up and causing trouble’.

By: Cubehouse

Cubehouse — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:22:33 +0000

Never said “public policy statements”. Do you honestly believe that as long as you aren’t the chief of police, head of education or the prime minister, you can say whatever you want without either offending people or consequences?
People look up to the police as a source of information, security and trust. Abusing their stance as an official to destroy the reputation of fine and intelligent individuals like yourself as scum and thugs is apparently fine by you?

By: Aeternitas33

Aeternitas33 — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:11:15 +0000

Well, according to your argument the school system can’t say anything can it? Since a teacher said it, it must be an “official announcement.”

Unless you care to change your stance and agree with me that random police officers and random school teachers are not making formal public policy statements on behalf of their police depts / school systems every time they open their mouths?

By: Gideon

Gideon — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:08:40 +0000

I actually worked in a retail store for a couple years. One woman came in with her son, who was less than 10, to buy a GTA game. I asked her if the game was for the kid. It was. I asked her if she was aware that it involves murder, thievery, arson, prostitution solicitation, extortion, mugging, cop killing and general mayhem. That the player is not only encouraged to break the law in any way they can but that they are rewarded. She was. She then bought the game and handed straight over to her child.

Some parents don’t care. I thank any teller that cards me. Not because of the “oh they think I’m young enough to be carded, tee hee” factor but for the fact that they care enough about games being regulated, as they should be.

By: Gideon

Gideon — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:59:55 +0000

bah. They blame games now, they used to blame comics, then it was rock and roll. There was actually one point where books, as in the ability to read, was being blamed for all this stuff. Society just blames whats “new”. Sad thing is these sorts of things have always happened and always will. Imagine if the media existed in the middle ages! Todays world is tame in comparison.

When something else comes out, some new form of entertainment, that will be the scapegoat. Until then. Its games.

By: Cubehouse

Cubehouse — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:48:40 +0000

Didn’t say it was, I said it should be treated like it was.

Let me put it in a real life scenario that actually happened. A teacher at a local school told parents they felt it appropriate to cane children as punishment. What do you think the school thought about their teacher saying that?

By: Aeternitas33

Aeternitas33 — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:12:38 +0000

Every word that comes out of a police officer’s mouth is NOT an official announcement.

By: Cubehouse

Cubehouse — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:33:06 +0000

I respect the police officers a great deal. But I struggle to have respect for an individual who holds zero respect for me as gamer and blankets me as a mentally unstable rioter.